The problem with having so many inexperienced players? The wild mood swings. The utter inability to sense when trouble is brewing. The lack of control when a game turns. The sight of Thiago Silva appearing to have an existential crisis as Chelsea’s composure evaporated and Luton poured forward, delivering cross after cross and threatening to steal the unlikeliest of points.
For Mauricio Pochettino, the hope will be that surviving the end to this wild encounter helps his inconsistent youngsters grow. They are capable of playing brilliant football but have to realise there is no room for complacency at this level. After taking control through a fine double from Cole Palmer and another goal for a resurgent Noni Madueke, Chelsea almost paid a heavy price for making the mistake of thinking that Luton would give up after going 3-0 down.
